Steam-condenser, water-heater, and oil-separator.



APPLICATION FILED PEB.15, 1908.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 11.

NH/humus J. E. CAPS.

STEAM CONDENSER, WATER HEATER, AND OIL SEPARATOB. APPLICATION FILED P123. 15, 1908.

949,21 7. Patented Feb. 15. 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET '2.

lb/00E. Caps aml l'mpmzllzks o water an ucnl'oz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN E. CAPS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHAPIN A. JARTWRIGHT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STEAM-CONDENSER, WATER-HEATER, AND OIL-SEPARATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

Application filed February 15, 1908. Serial No. 416,122.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN E. CAPS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Steam-Condenser, VVater-Heater, and Oil-Separator, of which the, following is a specification.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide novel, simple and effective means for condensing steam, the heat of the steam condensed being utilized in raising the temperature of water, said means being furthermore arranged to separate oil and other impuritiesfrom the steam.

The preferred form of construction is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view therethrough on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the ine 3-3 of Fig. 2. tion of the top of conduit or pipe.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In the embodiment illustrated, an outer casin is em loyed comprising an upwardly flared cylin rical wall 5 having a bottom 6 and a top 7 secured thereto, the latter being substantially conical in form. Within the casing in spaced relation to the walls thereof, is a device which serves as a combined water heater and steam-condensing element, as a collectin chamber for the heated water and water 0 condensation, and as a reservoir for the inflowing water to be heated and to act as the cooling or condensing medium. This device is a unitary structure suitably mounted in the casing so that the steam flows in contact with its exterior walls, whereby surface-condensing is produced, and it also discharges water so as to min le with the steam for obtaining a jetcon ensing action. The said device consists f a tubular water containing wall comprising spaced inner and outer cylindrical shells 8 secured to the upstanding flanges 9 of a bottom 10, the outer wall projectin above the inner wall and havin a flare flange 11 fastened to its upper e ge. As a result of this construction, a water space 12 is formed between the shells 8, said water space having a closed bottom and an open Fig. 4 is a detail side elevathe casing and the exhaust top, a steam passageway 13 and a closed bottom.

\Vhen it is desired to combine with the foregoing structure, a means for separating oil and other impurities from the steam, it is preferable to provide a special form of drum or wall between the said unitary device and bottom of the casing, as will be hereinafter more fully described, but it is to be understood that certain features of the invention can be carried out without the use of the oil separating means. The tubular water containing wall is supported by another tubular wall or drum 14 located between the bottoms 6 and 10, forming a steam chamber 15, which is provided in one side with a discharge opening 16. A deflector wall 17 is located within the chamber at one side of the opening.

The steam to be condensed, from any suitable source, as .for instance, the exhaust steam from an engine is conducted through a pipe which is connected to a nipple 18 depending from the bottom 6 of the outer casing, the bore of said nipple communicating with the bottom of the chamber 15.

An exhaust conduit or pipe 19 projecting through the top 7, depends within the casing 5 through the open upper end of the steam passageway 13, and has its lower inlet end located within said steam passageway above the bottom 10 of the tubular or liquid containing wall. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 2, the diameter of the pipe or conduit 19 is considerably less than the diameter of the inner shell 8, and being disposed centrally of said shell, is spaced therefrom on all sides. The said inner shell 8 has secured thereto at intervals downwardly and inwardly inclined deflector flanges 20 located around the pipe or conduit 19, and said pi e or conduit has downwardly and outward iy inclined deflector flanges 21, one of which is located between the flanges 20, these flanges terminating respectively short of the conduit and the inner s ell. As a result, a tortuous passageway is produced. Cold water is introduced into the water or liquid chamber 12 throu h a suitable pipe 22 leading throu h tfle bottom 6 of the casing and connecte to the bottom 10 of the tubular wall. An inclined wall 22 is located directly over and at one side of the upper end of the pipe 22 and serves to cause the inflowing water to having an open top while within the tubular wall is formed gyrate in the wall and prevent the settlement of sediment. A discharge pipe 23 for the hot water, leads from the bottom of the water containing wall within the inner shell 5 8 and extends through the bottom 6. A

draw-ofl' pipe 24 for oil and other impurities is connected to the bottom 6 of the casing outside the wall 14.

The operation of the structure is substanpasageway 13, and as it moves downwardly, I

it will be deflected by the flanges 20 and 21,

first against the conduit 19 and then against the water containin wall, thus passing through the spray 0 water. The result is 25 that the greater portion of the. steam will be condensed, and at the same time,'the water will be heated. The combined, water of condensation and water that has passed over the top of the inner shell 8, will escape through the pipe 23, while the remaining vapor will exhaust through the conduit 19. It will thus be evident that a very simple structure is produced, in which the steam will be effectively condensed and the heat will be taken up by the water which acts as the condensing agent. The steam'blowing up against the bottom of the heater, which is provided with a number of downwardly extending portions, deposits nearly all of the 40 oil contained in the steam and what little remains is forced against the walls of the outer receptacle or outer wall of the heater before the steam rises into the upper portion of the casin preparatory to its descent through the con ensing steam passage. The oil and heavy impurities which will separate from the steam during the passage of such steam around the outer face of the water containing wall, will gravitate into the bottom of the outer casing and can be drawn off through the pipe 24:. With this construction, the various walls are preferably constructed of noncorrosive material, and therefore there. is nothing which is 010 up or become inoperative.

nother of the advantages due to my construction is that the water in the water space 12 being and havin a circular motion will never get 0 hot enoug to form any deposits of lime to.

cl o it. A heater constructed as described an having an interior water chamber 12 v has been used where the water was thirt two per cent. hardness, and during the ,course of nearly a year has never been apt to forced from the bottom upward clogged by any deposits. This is an important point, as in most constructions of this character there is a constant tendency to clog and a tendency for any lime which may be in the Water to be deposited. The gyratory motion of the water is due to the fact that it enters at an angle by reason of inlet pipe 22*, and thus has a circular and up.- ward motion through the chamber 12 until it eventually passes over the inner wall of the chamber and downward through the steam condensing passage 13.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to" those skilled in the art, without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion, and minor details of construction, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is.:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing having an inlet and an outlet, with a single structure mounted therein and shaped to constitute a combined surface and jet condensing element and also a feed water heater and collecting chamber for the water of condensation and condensing water, means connected with the device for supplying water thereto for con- (lensing the steam and to be heated thereby, and a discharge conduit connected with the collecting chamber of the device for drawin ofl the water adapted to collect in said chamber.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing having an inlet and outlet for steam, a water wall mounted in the casing and. cooperating with the latter to form a passage through which steam is adapted to flow along one side of the wall and then along the second side, a steam exhaust conduit having its receiving end disposed to receive steam after it has passed along the second side of the water Wall and conducting said steam out of the casing through the said outlet, means arranged to supply water to the said wall, said wall being open at its top to provide an overflow along the second side of the water wall, and oppositely-disposed deflecting devices 0 arranged between the said wall and exhaust conduit to deflect the water and steam back and forth between the water wall and conduit.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, 1 5 the combination of a casing having an inlet and outlet, a water wall mounted in and spaced from the casing and inclosing a steam passageway communicating with the space surrounding the water well whereby steam is conducted successively along the outside and inside of the Water wall, an exhaust conduit having its receiving end disposed within the said passage-way for conducting the steam through the said outlet, said water wall consisting of inner and outer shells inclosing a water space, the inner shell being of less height than the outer for permitting an overflow of water into the said passageway, a water supply conduit connected with the said water space, and a hot water outlet conduit for receiving the overflow water and water of condensation.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing having an inlet and outlet, a Water wall mounted in and spa ed from the casing and inclosing a steam passageway comn'iunicating with the space surrounding the water wall whereby steam is conducted successively along the outside and inside of the water wall, an exhaust conduit having its receiving end disposed within the said passageway for conducting the steam through the said outlet, said water wall consisting of inner and outer shells inclosing a water space, the inner shell being of less height than the outer for permitting an overflow of water into the said passageway, a water supply conduit connected with the said water space, a hot water outlet conduit for receiving the overflow water and water of condensation, and deflectors arranged in staggered relation in the said passageway and mounted respectively on the said inner shell and exhaust conduit for directing the steam and water back and forth between the water wall and exhaust conduit while traversing the said passageway.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing having an inlet and outlet, a water wall mounted in and spaced from the casing and inclosing a steam passageway communicatin with the space surrounding the water wal whereby steam is conducted successively along the outside and inside of the water wall, an exhaust conduit having its receiving end disposed within the said passageway for conducting the steam through the said outlet, said water wall consisting of inner and outer shells inclosing a water space, the inner shell being of less height than the outer for permitting an overflow of water into the said passageway, a water supply conduit connected with the said water space, a hot water outlet conduit for-,receiving the overflow water and water of condensation, and a device at the juncture between the water supply pipe and water wall for imparting a gyratory motion to the water in rising in the said water wall.

6. In an apparatus of the class describe the combination of a casing having an inlet and outlet, a water-containing receptacle mounted within and separate from the casing and consisting of spaced shells over which the steam successively passes in transit through the casing from the inlet to the outlet whereby the said element forms a surface condenser, one of the said shells being lower than the other for causing water to overflow along such shell, and means adjacent the said wall whereby the steam condenses by contact with the said shell and also by commingling withthe overflow water, and an outlet conduit connected with the said element for draining off the overflow water and water of condensation.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing having an inlet and outlet, a cylindrical water wall closed at its bottom to form a collecting chamber disposed above and spaced from the inlet, said water wall inclosing a passageway, a drum arranged between the bottom of the casin and said water wall and having an opening through which steam passes to flow around the water wall, said drum cooperating with the bottom ortion of the casing to form an oil-collecting chamber, a drain conduit connected with the oil-collecting chamber, an exhaust conduit extending into the passageway and having its inlet end adjacent the bottom of the passageway, said Water wall bein open at its top to permit water to flow own the inside thereof, a plurality of deflectors mounted on the water wall and conduit in staggered relation for deflecting the overflow water and steam back and forth between the conduit and inner surface of the water wall, means for conducting away the overflow water and water of condensation from the collecting chamber, a water supply conduit connected with the water wall, and means in the water wall located at the bottom thereof for causing the water to rise in the water wall with a gymtory motion.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing having a steam inlet and an outlet, a liquid-containing wall in the casing of tubular form for inclosing a steam passageway closed at one end, said wall being provided with a liquid discharge overflowing into the passageway, an exhaust conduit extending into the passageway and conducting exhaust steam out of the casing through the said outlet, and a discharge pipe opening into the buttom of the said passageway for conducting off the overflow water and water of condensation.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing having a steam inlet pipe at its bottom, a water wall supported in the casing in spaced relation thereof and inclosing a steam passageway, said water wall consisting of inner and outer shells inclosing a water space closed at its bottom and opening at its top into the said passageway to permit water to overflow into the latter, a bottom plate disposed over the said inlet pipe and closing the water wall,

an exhaust conduit having its receiving end extending into the passageway and spaced from the said bottom plate and its outer end. 1

discharging into the atmosphere, means for supplying water to the water wall at a point nearest the steam inlet pipe and arranged to direct the water in a gyratory course upwardly through the water wall, and means inlet, a water wall located within the casingin spaced relation thereto and inclosing a steam passage, a plate closing the lower end thereof, said wall being open at its upper end to allow water to flow over the inside thereof, an exhaust conduit extending through the top of the casing and into the lower portion of said steam passage, a drum supporting the said water wall having an outlet opening at one side, a pipe for' supplying water to the water wall, and means for withdrawing water from the closed end of the steam passage.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with an upstanding upwardly flared casing having a top and bottom, of a tubular liquid containing wall located within the casing and comprising inner and outer sections, and a bottom that is spaced from the bottom of the casing, a tubular wall located between the bottoms forming a steam receiving chamber, said wall having an opening in one side-communicating with the interior of the casing, an upright steam exhaust pipe extending through the top of the casing and depending within the tubular wall, oppositely arranged deflector flanges carried by the tubular wall and the. exhaust pipe and over which the overflow water from the water-containing wall passes by gravity, means for introducin'g steam into the chamber, means for introducing cold water into the Water containing wall, and discharge pipes connected to the bottom of the water containing wall and to the bottom of the casing outside of the lower tubular wall.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, a pair of concentric walls arranged in proximity to each other to form an annular water chamber, the inner wall being of less height than the outer wall to permit water to overflow, and means at the bottom of the water chamber, arranged to direct water into the latter with a rotary motion around the axis of the chamber and simultaneously with the upward movement of the water, in combination with a casing inclosing the said walls and having a steam inlet and an exhaust outlet.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing having an inlet at its bottom and an outlet at its top, a water wall composed of spaced inner and outer shells inclosing a steam passageway, the inner shell being of less height than the outer.

shell to permit water to flow over the top edge of the inner shell and down the inner surface of the latter, a bottom plate closing the space" between the shells and also closing the lower end of the passageway to form a collecting chamber, an exhaust conduit extending into the passageway and having its receiving end spaced from the said bottom plate, oppositely/disposed deflecting flanges on the conduit and inner shell for deflecting the overflow water and steam back and forth, separate pipes connected with the bottom plate for supplying water to the space between the shells and conducting away water from the said chamber respectively, and a device on the bottom plate for imparting a gyratory motion to the water supplied tween the said shells. In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN E. CAPS. VVitnesses':

CHAPIN A. .CARTWRIGHT, A. F. Powers. 

